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Money Smart Tips For Frequent Flyers

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Travelling the world can be quite an adventure. The excitement, the adrenaline and the ability to explore the unknown can be addictive; and expensive. Australians spent over AU$15,000 in 2016 on travelling and since then have continued to rise in the ranks to become one of the countries that spend the most on travel each year. However, simple travel oversights often made by travellers can end up making the experience very stressful and costly. For those who find themselves frequently hopping on planes and seeing their bank balances dwindle due to flights, take a look at a few nifty ways you can better manage your money and still satisfy that travel bug.

Get A Credit Card

Travel credit cards are worth looking into. Many credit card companies offer promotions for use of their services. These offers can include cashback and frequent flyer points for hotels, airlines and even air travel benefits such travel credit to be used in stores. Utilise these and your wallet will thank you. You will end up spending less on your flights (if financed using air points) or even getting your accommodation for free on a trip.

Another great credit card tip for travellers is to use their cards to book their travels and then use their cash to pay the credit card bill. This way you accrue points and benefits from your credit provider and also keep your credit standing in good shape. Keep in mind you should only pursue this if you do have the cash to largely finance the trip soon after the purchase. Travel can be expensive and if you cannot repay the amount on your card, it will end up negatively affecting your credit score. Experts such as Experian recommend keeping your credit card utilisation below 30 percent.

Have A Dedicated Travel Account- And Budget To Go With It

Budgeting is the cornerstone of many great financial habits in our lives. It is used to get a hold of our debts, achieve our saving goals and now, to keep an eye on your travel spend. The Westpac Global Travel Study revealed that 80 percent of Australians overspend when travelling overseas. Australian families are taking note with eight in ten families now letting their budget determine their upcoming travel plans rather than dreams. A travel budget is simple to make and important in so many ways. It allows you to keep up with your spending habits and more importantly, identify areas where you can be more money savvy. Keeping track of your finances is the first step to reducing unnecessary spending. This can mean more money freed up for your adventures. Many banks now offer a variety of products to smartly manage your everyday finances  aimed at travellers, savers or for general use.

Pick An Airline

Many pieces advise travellers to shop around and compare prices before booking their flights. However, did you ever consider the perks that may come with sticking to one airline? Many carriers tend to reward customer loyalty; something you can use in your favour to save a lot of money. As you repeatedly book with them, you can accrue flyer and loyalty points. Flight upgrades and extra amenities can all come free or heavily discounted for repeat customers. Coupled with credit card points, you could find yourself flying for free, or close to it.

Whether it is for work or to explore the globe, travelling can certainly burn a hole in our bank accounts.  However, that does not have to be the case. There are many tips to achieve budget-friendly travel and still enjoy the beauty that the world offers. Whether it is by implementing a travel budget or making smart use of extra perks that come with credit facilities, you can achieve the perfect balance between your finances and your travel ambitions.

Top 5 Most Amazing Places to Visit in Al Ain

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Al Ain is the oasis city of the UAE, which has everything in it. The city is surrounded by the vast mountain range, Jebel Hafeet, and the desert. This is an ancient city of 3000 BC, which is till date very popular among the tourists around the world. If you are an adventurist by heart, then this oasis amidst the desert will definitely allure you to explore it.

Book the best Al Ain hotels to make your vacation even more lavish and luxurious. What can you see once you are in this desert city? Here are certain famous tourist destinations of this city. Read on to know more-

1. Jebel Hafeet

This rough mountain has grown up from the inland of Al Ain. Take a trip to the summit of the mountain through the desert so that you get a panoramic view of the mountain, surrounded by the desert. That is something mesmerizing and you can’t get the beauty until you experience it. On your way to the summit, you will find breathtaking scenic beauty. The place is heavenly for the photographers.

2. Green Mubazzarah

If your eyes have been tired of visiting the cragginess of the mountain, it’s time to soothe them. Go to this place which is covered by lush greenery. There are several hot springs and water wells. This vast place is amazing for arranging a weekend picnic with your friends or family. You can even arrange a Bar-be-Que party.

3. Al Ain National Museum

The desert city has many things to tell its tourists. To listen to its history and past, you need to visit the museum once. And while you are here, don’t forget to visit the special ethnographic section where you can get the glimpse of the regular life of the people in Al Ain along with the exhibits, like Bedouin jewelry, traditional majlis and so on. Apart from these, you can visit the coin collection, the archeological section with artifacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages and many other things.

4. Al Ain Zoo

This is the largest animal enclosure of the entire United Arab Emirates. The Zoo was opened in 1969 and from the beginning, it has been one of the famous tourist spots in Al Ain. Along with the members of the cat family, like tiger, lion, leopards, and jaguars, you will also find the endemic mammals, like oryx and the Arabian antelope here. Apart from that, the zoo is also the house of the endangered species, like African and Arabian Gulf animals.

5. Wadi Adventure Park

 

If you want to have the best adventure in Al Ain, visit the park where you get to do kayaking, surfing, white water rafting and so on. This park is the biggest water rafting park in the UAE where you will find the world’s largest artificial surfing waves. The kayaking channels will give you amazing experience while there are three distinguished levels of surfing for the beginners, the intermediates and the experts.

These are the top 5 visiting places in Al Ain. There are many more and each of them are equally amazing. Plan now and go for a trip.

How to make the most of a weekend getaway in Belfast

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There’s no doubt that Belfast has always been appealing from a tourist perspective; after all, it’s only a stone’s throw from the rest of the UK. However, over recent years its popularity has soared, with the rise of budget airlines partially to thank for this.

To suggest that people only visit Belfast due to its accessibility would be doing it a terrible disservice though. There are in fact plenty reasons behind the tourist appeal to Belfast, with its luxury hotels and general atmosphere being just a couple of note. However, for the purposes of highlighting exactly what you can do there, let’s now talk about the best attractions that this city has to offer.

Titanic Belfast

Truth be told, you could visit a number of cities around the world and feast your eyes on a Titanic museum. There’s a major difference when it comes to Belfast though – this is the city in which the boat was actually built.

That’s right, and the most interesting element of this is that it only really opened in the aftermath of the hugely successful movie. It cost £97m to build, is now the largest Titanic museum in the world and back in 2016 it was classed as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards.

Crumlin Road Gaol

When you first venture to Crumlin Road Gaol, it might sound bizarre to hear that this was once one of the most advanced prisons of its era. Of course, that was all the way back in 1845 – but back then it cost £60,000 (which is the equivalent to more than £5m in today’s money).

It closed its doors in 1996 but makes a very good attraction for those who like to delve into history. The tour allows you to visit inside, including the Governor’s office and execution cell.

St George’s Market

If markets are your thing, St George’s is right up there with the best. The fact that it has been operating since 1604 should highlight exactly how historic it is, but it’s also the last Victorian covered market that can be visited in the whole of the city.

In 2014, it was classed as the best indoor market in 2014 and with almost 300 stalls available, this really shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

HMS Caroline

As you may have gathered from the Titanic reference earlier, Belfast has some terrific maritime attractions. HMS Caroline is one of these, with this being the final ship that survived the Battle of Jutland.

Of course, since then it has been restored into a full-blown tourist attraction. Those who visit it will get audio and visual displays, and learn how the 300 men who worked aboard the ship really lived.

If history isn’t your thing, you should probably skip this one. Otherwise, add it to your bucket list for Belfast – it’s a sterling ship that always grabs rave reviews from anyone who decides to visit.

3 Travel Blunders that Will Ruin Any Vacation

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Vacations are supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to be amazing, thrilling, eye-opening experiences. They’re supposed to be less stressful than work. Sadly though, most of us have experienced frustrating vacations and know how quickly a trip can turn from idyllic to disastrous. On the plus side, the more you travel, the more you can work to avoid mistakes that induce stress and threaten your safety. However, inexperienced travelers will want to have a look at these three travel-based errors. Eliminating these gaffs will –– at the very least –– ensure you avoid a few massive headaches while on vacation:

Forgetting Documentation

It may come as a surprise to some, but many people still forget to take everything they need for basic traveling purposes. Tickets, IDs, and passports are all essential for navigating through airports and border stations. Forgetting or losing any of these documents will put you behind the eight-ball right from the start, and pretty much guarantee your trip won’t be much fun.

Winging It

We can’t stress this enough –– it’s patently unwise to travel without having your accommodations sorted out first. Not knowing where you’re going to stay or how you’re going to get around town is one of the fastest ways to derail any trip. Yes, it’s important to allow yourself time to explore a new city, and yes, it’s also rewarding to immerse yourself and “get lost” in a new environment; but winging it completely will only lead to trouble. Sort out your hotel or Airbnb months in advance and make sure you have a sound grasp for how you’re going to move throughout a city. Check the bus and train schedules, investigate the taxi situation, or skip the hassle altogether and hire a private driver. (For more information on driving services, check out www.aaylimos.com.) The point is, don’t fly by the seat of your pants on holiday.

Seasonal Blues

Many times, when you go on vacation carries as much weight as where you go. Indeed, there’s an art to scheduling the perfect trip. Go during the summer or and you could risk getting stuck in exorbitant lines and traffic caused by fellow tourists. Go during the winter months and you might not be able to experience everything a city has to offer. Of course, traveling with children can limit the times you can realistically hit the road as well. Nevertheless, pro travelers find ways to circumvent crowds and still have a great time. Look for sweet spots during the travel schedule and be willing visit a city during an “off” season. You may be surprised just how much more enjoyable your escapades are as a result!

Mad For The Med – Why You Should Pick A Mediterranean Cruise For Your Next Holiday

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If you’re one of those people who loves to wait until school’s back in in September before heading out on a holiday just to beat the crowds (and maybe the heat a bit too), you might be wondering what the best location is to head to this year to really make the most of those summer months before they’re gone. Maybe you can’t decide between a beach holiday or one in the mountains, a lazy getaway where you just chill out and take a load off or one where you are constantly on the go. The nice thing is that there is such a holiday that incorporates both preferences, and if this sounds like you, then look no further than an the option to kick back and relax on a Mediterranean cruise.

Amazing Excursions

Regardless of which cruise you choose, you can be sure that there will be excursions to not just fit your body, but your budget as well. Excursions from the ship can range from strolling around local ports and backstreets all the way up to hiking hills and countryside tours with wine tastings and more. Each port stop on your cruise will offer up a whole array of exciting options for getting off the boat and getting into the local area. With such great options such visiting the Palace of Knossos and the archaeological museum in Crete to getting lost in the backstreets of medieval Trogir in Croatia, it’s easy to see why so many people choose Mediterranean cruises for their getaways. There are quite literally hundreds of great things to see and do.

A Great View – Right From The Deck

It’s no secret that if you head up on the top decks, as you wind your way through the passageways and narrow lanes of islands throughout the Med that you will have amazing, unadulterated views. Imagine the stunning scenery you’ll see when you cruise past such sights as the Amalfi coast, the rocky shores of Crete, the rugged coastline of Albania and mainland Greece or the volcanic islands of Santorini. Sit back and relax perhaps with a glass of your favourite local wine in hand as you watch the world literally float past you.

World Class Cuisine

If you’re a total foodie you won’t want to miss out on a cruise trip to the Mediterranean. The region is known for some of the world’s best cuisine and wine, with opportunities to get off the ship and wander tiny winding back streets that are often home to some of the most unique local undiscovered gems in terms of culinary experience. From pasta and pizza in Italy to olives, souvlaki and the tastiest local wines in Greece or grilled lamb in spice with delectable coffee in Turkey and more options throughout the Med, it’s easy to see how some of the food options here are to die for. Come back an expert in cuisines of the Med and make them at home to relive memories of exploring tiny village cafes and rubbing elbows with locals.

So if you want something a bit new and different this year, why not consider taking a cruise to the Mediterranean. With many countries to choose from in the area, the only problem you’ll face is “which country should I pick?”

Visiting Australia’s Northern Territory for Gap Year Adventures

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Road Trips

Anyone who has bumped into a group of gap year students travelling around Australia will be more than aware of just how much they love to have fun. And as many of these youngsters are on a tight budget, getting temporary work to help fund their travels tends to be one of their goals. Apart from picking fruit and working at a carwash, there are many other solutions for trippers in Australia travelling on a shoestring. By scouring the net for websites with information on planning a road trip around Australia, tourists planning to make their way up to Alice Springs should be able to have a great trip. There are indeed some fantastic sites that provide the traveller with the sort of information that can be used to plan a successful trip around Australia. Of course, young travellers hoping to pick up some work as they make their way up to the Northern Territory in a beat-up campervan will need to look for details on the best ways to secure temporary employment on the route they plan to take.

Fun Jobs

Most people will not disagree with the notion that the best jobs are the ones where we can have a laugh at least once in a while. Fortunately, for gap year students in Australia looking to get some work that has a lot of fun on offer, there are plenty of jobs around Australia suitable for young people who are keen to be entertained at work. As well as working in bars and clubs, youthful travellers could try promotional work where they spend all day chatting to people. Finding Alice Springs accommodation after talking to someone promoting this popular part of the Northern Territory could turn out to be the beginning of a great idea for young travellers that had no real plan on where to go next in Australia. By taking into consideration how we will make it up to Alice Springs from the south of Australia, we may be able to get to our destination in good time. Young visitors to Alice Springs and surrounding areas such as Darwin will usually want to find out about the nightlife in this part of the Northern Territory. Luckily for party animals touring Australia, there are heaps of venues to enjoy boozy nights in Darwin such as the ones listed below:

  1. Throb Night Club
  2. The Lost Arc
  3. Monsoons
  4. Darwin Railway Club
  5. HP Underground Nightclub

Place to Crash

Although lots of youngsters who use a campervan to travel around Australia will choose to get their head down in the vehicle when they cannot cruise the roads anymore, there will always be times when road trip travellers will crave for a bit more comfort. By taking the time to search online, gap year students heading towards Alice Springs will be able to book some suitable accommodation ready for when they finally arrive after a long drive in their trusty campervan. And as there are lots of providers of cosy and reasonably priced places to crash in the Northern Territory of Australia, it will not be long before these intrepid travellers have got the perfect pad for the Alice Springs leg of their journey. Of course, party people staying in Alice Springs should check out Darwin for a night if they want to let their hair down after a day visiting magnificent sights of this Northern Territory region. Impulsive travellers in Australia hoping to combine visiting tourist attractions in the Northern Territory with lots of late nights can easily have their cake and eat it.

On Land or On Sea? Reasons for choosing a Cruise holiday

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There’s a range of choice when it comes to holidays, many don’t know what to pick. You could visit one destination and explore the full scope of that one land, or you could take a cruise and venture to various places. With a cruise there’s no limits, no restrictions that will hinder you from having a spectacular and fun-filled holiday. Find one that suits you with all the places you want to see incorporate on the journey. Sail the seas today: experience a luxury cruise holiday. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a cruise holiday.

An Array of Attractions

With a cruise you don’t have to be limited to one location. Explore the world and tick of a number of those Bucket list destinations you’ve been longing to see. Cruises go cross countries and enable you to see a range of alluring sites. You can sail the seven seas travelling from Abu Dhabi to Rome, Monte Carlo to Barcelona, Amsterdam to London and more. See the world without stress as you sail along.

All Planned Out

Another thing that makes cruises such a sort out holiday is that it’s all planned out for you. You’re provided with an enticing itinerary before you board and they take you to the various destinations with ease. Planning all the locations you want to see manually can be a drag, when you book a cruise you’ll have the whole trip set out for you. With destination experts on hand also, you can be informed on what to view when you stop off. Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride and recreation. Don’t get yourself worked up about what to do next or where to fly to, with a cruise holiday it will be one stop after another packed with a host of events and attraction for you to be thrilled by. The only journey you’ll be down about taking is the journey back home.

Comfort and Luxury

One of the biggest highlights to cruising is the comfort that comes on board. This is a luxurious way to site see. Get an ocean view from your sensational stateroom. Receive a delicious selection of fine cuisines, indulge in a wide range of entertainment, and wake up to the wonders of each location in style. It’s the perfect way to voyage around the world. You’ll be provided with a high standard of service that is matchless. One of the biggest worries when travelling around is finding the perfect accommodation; on a cruise this will always be available to you with your own private and plush room on board at the end of your explorations.

Social

Everybody likes to meet good people with good vibes while they’re on holiday. They like the memories that come with socialising with a host of different characters. On a cruise you are in close proximity with like-minded people; people that are out for a good time of travelling and leisure.

How to Stay Safe and Stress-Free on Vacation

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Vacations are wonderful experiences that people can’t wait to take, which is why they sometimes get a little careless. You need to put some effort into staying safe if you’re thinking about going on vacation sometime soon.

These are five things you can do to ensure that you and your family are going to have a good time on your next annual trip by staying safe and protected:

  1. Have Your Vehicle Inspected

The first line of defense for vacation safety is making sure that the vehicle you drive is safe on all counts. You need to make sure it’s a roadworthy vehicle by having someone put it through a several-point inspection. This person needs to make sure that the brakes and tires are in excellent condition, that all the fluids that protect the motor are full, and that the safety devices and lighting elements work well. Take it to a certified mechanic and make sure that this person gives you a green light to drive the vehicle. Once you get the seal of approval, you’ll know that it’s okay to take the car on the trip.

  1. Buy Insurance

Insurance is a good idea for protecting yourself in the event of a bad experience on vacation. For example, travelers insurance covers you in case of emergency medical expenses, lost luggage, or flight cancellation while on vacation. For those embarking on the road trip of a lifetime, an updated policy which covers any special circumstances may need to be considered, such as motorcycle insurance if towing a couple of Kawasaki bikes behind your motorhome en route to the Grand Canyon.

  1. Travel in Packs

There are ways that you can facilitate staying safe on vacation once you’re there, too. Traveling in packs is an amazing way for you to cut down the chance of experiencing a robbery of some kind. Robbers and muggers are less likely to attack someone who is with a bunch of her friends than they are to attack someone who is alone and perpetrating a tourist look. Make it a practice to travel with your family and friends everywhere you go on this vacation to stay safe.

  1. Explore in the Daytime

Another safety measure that you can use is taking care of all of your business during the daytime. Go out and explore the area as much as you want in the daytime. Go shopping, swimming, scuba diving and anything else that your heart desires, but do it in the daytime. If going out at night, stick to populated well-lit areas which are clearly designated as nightlife hotspots. Pay attention to where you notice any police or security stationed so that in the event something happens, you know where to go immediately for help.

  1. Use Chip Cards

The use of the chip card is a form of financial protection that can help you while you are on your trip. You’ll want to bring your chip card with you so that you lower the possibility of falling victim to credit card fraud while you are there.

Those suggestions are just the beginning when it comes to safety on your family trip. You can take those suggestions and then come up with additional suggestions that will make your safety even more ironclad. You should be able to enjoy your trip, and you will if you always stay proactive.

You Are Going To Israel. What Next?

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Israel is one of the most beautiful, and culturally and historically important countries in all of the world. The land has many religious affiliations and is believed to be the birthplace and death place of Jesus Christ. He is said to have traversed this country to the likes of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. An estimated 3.5 million visitors make their way to Israel each year, with many coming to enjoy the healing and transforming powers thought to lay within the land. Once you’re set on traveling to Israel, it’s advisable to learn more about the custom, culture, and particulars that are going to affect you.

Religious Significance

Tour to the holy land as a Christian and fulfill one of the most significant rites of passage for those who wish to pay their respects, renew their faith, and bring the scripture to life. Although there doesn’t often seem like a convenient time to leave your busy life behind for a week or two, many Christians recommend making the journey to The Holy Land at least once in your lifetime and sooner rather than later. Remember to take your camera along with you, as you’ll want to catch images of the setting to later reflect back upon.

Ready For The Weekend

The Israeli working week commences on a Sunday and breaks for the weekend on Thursdays after sunset. This will impact how you travel around Israel, especially if you want to get somewhere at the weekend. In some secular cities, restaurants and other establishments stay open during the weekend. However, places in more religious areas will cease to operate during the Jewish Sabbath. So, play it safe wherever you can and either check to see whether certain places and transport systems are going to be closed, or what time they’re expected to shut. Avoid traveling on the days that you cannot be 100% sure of how you’re going to reach your destination safely and smoothly.

Getting Around

Israel enjoys efficient and reliable public transport systems, and none more so than the trains, inter-city buses and the intra-city ones, as well as shared taxis, and the shared bike system too. Before you depart headed for Israel, make sure that you’ve downloaded the necessary apps for making your way from A to B.. Again, remember to plan your route taking into account the weekend period, as otherwise, you could find yourself a little stuck.

Temperatures

The Middle East boasts some of the warmest climates in the world, and Israel is believed to teeter around the average high temperature of 79ºF (26ºC) during July. If you’re coming to Israel in the height of summer, then it’s wise to pack sensibly and appropriately. Pack your bags with heat, comfort, and modesty in mind. Both men and women are expected to cover parts of their body during important dates in the religious calendar, so don’t forget to pack a long garment of clothing – long enough to cover your shoulders and your legs. With this said, the dress code in Israel is largely relaxed and laidback, and shorts and t-shirts are more than acceptable.

Luggage Buying Guide – Things To Consider While Buying Travel Bag

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Travel bags are the best companions of a traveller. Hazardous bags can hamper your journey a lot and thus you should choose the best option carefully. Ongoing suitcase sale online is really very much alarming and you should not miss out a chance of grabbing the most durable and stylish suitcase especially for your business travel.

Key things to consider:

  • Aesthetically appealing: Though functionality is the leading concern but aesthetic appeal cannot be neglected either. If the travel bag is not stylish to look at then you will also not feel to carry the same. The bag’s outlook should match up your taste and personality well. Nowadays, you can get lucrative suitcase online under popular brands. There you will get ample of options to select the most stylish travel bag of your choice, need and preference.
  • Travel type: The travel bag should be chosen only in accordance to travel type for receiving the highest tour comfort. Domestic travel bags are much different from those used for corporate purposes especially business meetings and others. If you are going to such a place where your essential items are not available easily then you have to carry them in your bag. In this case, you should take a spacious bag that can be easily carried. Rolling bags are the best option in this regard as they can be easily dragged without any inconveniences or discomfort. On the other hand, journey length is also very essential to consider.
  • Researching: Travel bag collection is getting updated almost every month and if you are a frequent traveller then you should keep a keen watch on this update for choosing the most right one. You can make Google surfing for finding out latest updates about travel bags. Getting into the reviews can also be treated as an ideal solution. In fact, reviews can enable you to make a healthy comparison among the available types.
  • Brand: Branded travel bags are definitely more reliable than local options. In fact, you can receive a great warranty on your bag if you buy from brands but this facility is not always available in case of local ones. There is simply no point in purchasing a travel bag without lifetime guarantee. Guarantee does not only mean longevity but durability along with high quality is also assured. Moreover, if anything happens to your bag then it will be repaired for free with proper warranty. Why invest in travel bags every year? It is better to invest in such a bag that lasts for many years. This is how you can continue your tours in an uninterrupted manner without getting bothered by the headache of purchasing a new bag.
  • Upgraded model:Purchasing an upgraded model of travel bag is surely a wise choice without any doubt. Make sure that the model can be easily customised by altering the settings. Customised bags can satisfy your needs and travel purposes well and thus most travellers prefer going for the same. Moreover, updated bag features are really very much helpful and they can make your travel absolutely comfortable.

Some other important factors that often come to mind when of purchasing travel bags are price, hardware info, stitching, luggage cover, bad material and many more.